File Photo – Huntley Fire Protection District | Photo: HFPD

An 18-year-old man was critically injured and had to be flown to the hospital after he drove off the roadway and struck a tree near Huntley, sheriff’s officials said.

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office and Huntley Fire Protection District responded around 9:58 p.m. Saturday to the area of Powers Road north of Interstate 90, an unincorporated area between Gilberts and Huntley, for a vehicle crash with injuries.

A preliminary investigation showed a single-vehicle crash occurred involving a 2012 black Hyundai Sonata.

The Hyundai had exited the roadway and struck a tree, causing critical injuries to the driver, according to the sheriff’s office. The vehicle’s passenger was uninjured.

The Hyundai, driven by an 18-year-old Gilberts man, was traveling southbound on Powers Road at a high rate of speed.

The driver had been attempting to maneuver a tight curve in the roadway just north of the Interstate 90 bridge, sheriff’s officials said.

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The man lost control of the Hyundai and the vehicle left the roadway onto the east side of the shoulder and easement.

The Hyundai struck a tree before coming to a stop. It sustained heavy front-end damage from hitting the tree.

Sheriff’s officials said airbags were deployed and it was unknown if seatbelts were used.

The driver of the Hyundai had to be extricated from the vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin.

The 18-year-old suffered significant chest and liver injuries, prompting him to be flown to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

The front seat passenger, a 24-year-old Gilberts man, refused medical treatment at the scene.

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division are conducting an investigation into the crash.

It does not appear that alcohol played a factor in the crash but speed appears to have played a factor, sheriff’s officials said.

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No citations or charges have been issued yet due to the pending investigation.